Klarna structures risk transfer deal tied to BNPL loan book

The company is seeking to shift credit exposure from its buy now, pay later portfolio to free capital as it prepares a deeper expansion in the U.S. market.

Summary

Klarna is structuring a significant risk transfer deal to move credit exposure off its BNPL (buy now, pay later) loan book, a step aimed at freeing up capital ahead of a broader push into the U.S. market. Such transactions are typically used by lenders to reduce the amount of risk held on their balance sheets while preserving lending capacity, making them a common tool when firms want to support growth without tying up additional capital.

Terms & Concepts
  • BNPL: Buy now, pay later consumer lending
  • significant risk transfer deal: A transaction that shifts credit risk to other investors or counterparties
  • credit exposure: Potential losses from borrowers failing to repay